Military Jets Photography: 2007 06 16 Luchtmachtdagen Volkel

The Open Doors of the Netherlands Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLU) are always a must for the enthusiasts. This edition took part at the Volkel airbase and was no exception to the rule. A splendid set with a mix of civilian and military aviation combining modern jets and some old timers.
As every year, one of the key moments of the event is the demonstration of the operational capabilities of the KLU, with an airfield attack involving F-16's and AH-64 Apaches, intervention of front line troops by Cougars or Chinooks, mass arrival with a C-130 and air-air refueling by a KDC-10. All these assets are being shown to their tax payers to show them what the KLU does with their money.
The highlight of this years show was the appearance of the Turkish Stars with the former dutch NF-5A/B aircraft painted in a special "thunderbirdslike" livery. The other demoteams present at the opendays were the Patrouille de France and the swiss PC7 team.
The only thing you see happening at all airshows these days is the falling number of aircraft and Volkel this year was no exception. Although the organizers used a nice trick with placing the flying display aircraft on the parallel runway where you normally only find the static displays. If they didn't had done this the static would have been a disaster. Another positive side on the fact that the flying aircraft were on the public side was that all these jets were taxiing in front of you when they began and ended their display.